Mentors in Violence Prevention

The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program, co-created by Jackson Katz in 1993,
is a leadership program focused on preventing all forms of men’s violence against women.
MVP is the premier program in the country working with student leaders on these issues.
The multi-racial, mixed gender MVP Program is the first large-scale attempt to enlist
collegiate leaders in the fight against this violence.

MVP Workshop

MVP Workshop Description: Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training is a series of highly interactive
facilitated discussions focusing on confronting, interrupting, and preventing gendered violence. Session
goals are to; raise awareness, challenge thinking, open dialogue, and inspire leadership. MVP focuses on:
the social construction of masculinity as it relates to unhealthy behavior, sexual objectification of
women, sexual harassment, battering and sexual assault believes men and women need to work together to end
gender violence on college campuses. By empowering men and women through a bystander approach to prevention,
MVP enables campus communities to stand up against all forms of gender-based violence. The training opens
dialogue regarding participant leadership around these issues providing program participants the leadership
skills necessary to mentor and educate their peers and inform the University in maintaining the
safest learning community possible.

If you’re interested in attending an MVP training session, to provide you with the tools and processes to help
our entire community live and learn in a place that is safe, affirming and healthy, please visit our
Workshops page to submit a workshop request.

ACT

When you witness situations of sexual or domestic violence, bullying, gender violence,
bullying or any form of violence – What can you do? Assess, Choose, and Take Action.
Be an Active Bystander!

Bystander Intervention Strategies

"I" Statements

Three parts: 1. State your feelings, 2. Name the behavior, 3. State how you want the
person to respond. This focuses on your feelings rather than criticizing the other person.

Example: “I feel ____ when you_____. Please don’t do that anymore.”

Silent Stare

Remember, you don’t have to speak to communicate. Sometimes a disapproving look
can be far more powerful than words.

Humor

Reduces the tension of an intervention and makes it easier for the person to hear
you. Do not undermine what you say with too much humor. Funny doesn’t mean unimportant.

Group Intervention

There is safety and power in numbers. Best used with someone who has a clear pattern of
inappropriate behavior where many examples can be presented as evidence of the problem.

Bring it Home

Prevents someone from distancing themselves from the impact of their actions.

Example: “I hope no one ever talks about you like that.”

Prevents someone from dehumanizing their target.

Example: What if someone said your friend deserved to be raped or called your family
member a derogatory name?

We're Friends, Right?

Reframes the intervention as caring and non-critical.

Example: “Hey, as your friend I’ve got to tell you that getting someone drunk
to have sex with them is not cool, and could get you in a lot of trouble. Don’t do it.”

Distraction

Snaps someone out of their “sexist comfort zone.”

Example: Ask a man harassing a woman on the street for directions or the time.

Allows a potential target to move away and/or to have other friends intervene.

Example: Spill your drink on the person or interrupt and start a conversation
with the person.